Former N.D. governor tapped by President Bush for cabinet post

North Dakotans will be following with interest today the Senate’s confirmation hearing of former Governor Ed Schafer for the post of Secretary of Agriculture in the Bush administration.

Mike Bellmore

North Dakotans will be following with interest today the Senate’s confirmation hearing of former Governor Ed Schafer for the post of Secretary of Agriculture in the Bush administration.

Coming from an agriculturally oriented state, Schafer will head a Cabinet department of more than 100,000 employees. He will be relied upon to provide sound advice on issues ranging from the nation’s farm economy and food supply to international trade and conservation programs.

Those who know him are confident he’ll be up for the challenge.

“I think he was a terrific governor and I think he’ll be a terrific Secretary of Agriculture,’’ said Dan Traynor of Devils Lake, who worked for the Republicans in 1992 when Schafer was elected governor and was the State Republican Chairman from 2001-2002.

“He was very approachable, unlike a lot of people in Washington - anyone could talk to him. I remember him at some banquets walking into the kitchen and thanking the people who prepared the food.’’

Schafer brings some strong credentials to his new job.

He effectively directed state response to eight statewide disasters, including drought, flood and fire, including the historic Grand Forks flood of 1997 that resulted in mass evacuations.

He launched a successful pilot project to revive rural communities by using technology to deliver education, health care and economic development.

He gained extensive experience in dealing with grain and livestock import issues. He led an agricultural trade mission from North Dakota to China in 2000 to help open new markets for North Dakota farm products.

He oversaw initial development of North Dakota’s biofuel industries and led the way in developing value-added products for agriculture.

“This is really going to be good for North Dakota,’’ former Devils Lake legislator Richard Kunkel said. “This is about as important position a North Dakotan could get in the administration. He has lived here and knows so well how important agriculture is.’’

Kunkel added that he’s confident Schafer will do what is right and what is good for North Dakota farmers and those nationwide. Schafer was North Dakota’s governor when Kunkel was in the legislature.

Schafer has management experience in the private sector, serving as president of a family-owned business his father started. And he has launched a number of entrepreneurial ventures of his own.

His passion for agriculture has deep roots. His maternal grandparents were Danish immigrants who worked as farmers on the plains of North Dakota.